The Note

After

Tora was led back to her frilly chambers this time. The colorful sun warmed rooms overwhelmed her. They felt too vibrant, too beautiful; too. . . nice. For some reason, she thought things would change now. They didn't. The only one changed was her.

She went back to her regular schedule. Her chambermaids dressed her throughout the day and Lessons were taught by Nanny with guards standing like statues in the hallway. When she slept, Nanny slept in a bed beside her and her four chambermaids resided in a servant's room connected to hers.

She didn't ask why. She knew the answer. At least, she knew the reason why Mother had her live like this.

Her fighting training with Nanny continued it's harshness as well. Defense was the main thing taught. Her small body was pushed to its limits as Nanny made her practice for hours each day. 

In the evenings she was allowed to walk the grounds with two guards trailing and Nanny and a chambermaid by her sides. 

Once a week she would have to read with Mother. A dreadful time. She was taught strict manners and learned how to show respect. By now, she did respect Mother. She also hated her.

She wore fine dresses and always had her hair done up. All per Mothers orders. She never defied Mother now. She'd learned her lesson. Mother wouldn't hesitate to punish a willful child. 

Her life be dictated, and she let it be. Each morning she had to wake with the sun to be ready to learn from Nanny. When she learned about families one day from her, she wasn't surprised when Mother told her she couldn't see other children or her father.

She had nodded her understanding, yet she liked to dream about her father. She imagined someone who held laughter in his smile. She liked to think he'd give her hugs all the time and hold her hand when they walked together. He wouldn't hesitate to whisper the three words she dreamed about. 

I love you. . .

When she imagined him saying the words, warmth spread through her. Warmth she didn't get when her mother spoke the words after she fought and bled. As training got deadlier, her mother especially liked to taunt her with the words after healing any life threatening wounds.

She wondered about all the things she was missing while locked inside her boring and consistent world.

Once, because she was still open to believing, she had tried to become closer to Nanny. But Nanny hardly talked back and ignored her attempts at a closer relationship. She couldn't help the tears that dashed her young face.

Nanny had scowled at her and said she preferred to hear silence. Tora's lips trembled, but she held them closed. Bowing, defeated, she joined the silence surrounding her.

A body surrounded by ghosts. . .